More than a billion people worldwide live with migraines, but not everyone responds to treatment in the same way, according to Prevention.
The American Academy of Neurology has now updated its guidelines, potentially giving more patients access to more effective and personalised treatment.
Preventive treatment could start earlier
The new guidelines recommend offering preventive treatment to people who experience at least four migraine attacks per month.
Previously, many doctors waited until patients experienced eight or more migraine days per month.
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Migraines are more than ordinary headaches
Migraine is a neurological condition that affects the nervous system.
A better understanding of the condition has helped create new opportunities for treatment and prevention.
New medications become a first-line treatment option
Medications that block a substance called CGRP are now recommended as one of the first options for preventing migraines.
Previously, these medications were not emphasised to the same extent as an initial treatment.
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Treatment should be tailored to each patient
Migraines can affect people in different ways.
The guidelines therefore emphasise that doctors and patients should work together to find a treatment that meets each individual's needs.
Botox treatment requires patience
Botox is also used to prevent migraines by blocking nerve signals.
According to the new guidelines, its effectiveness should not be assessed until after 24 weeks, which may correspond to two rounds of treatment.
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Different types of medication can be combined
Patients who already take prescription medication for migraines should not automatically be excluded from treatment with CGRP inhibitors.
The updated guidelines therefore open the door to more treatment options.
Frequent migraine attacks should be taken seriously
Even if a patient experiences fewer than eight migraine days per month, the condition can still significantly affect daily life.
Preventive treatment should therefore not necessarily be delayed, particularly if other treatments are not sufficiently effective.
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Older medications remain relevant
Although newer medications are becoming more important, traditional preventive drugs such as topiramate and valproate remain among the available treatment options.
The risk of medication overuse needs further investigation
There have previously been concerns that using multiple medications could lead to medication-overuse headaches.
The updated guidelines emphasise that this issue requires further research and should not, in itself, prevent patients from receiving appropriate treatment.
Reducing medication use may require additional support
If a doctor determines that a patient needs to reduce their use of other medications, additional treatment may be necessary during the tapering process.
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Researchers still lack important answers
Although treatment options have improved, researchers still lack sufficient knowledge about certain patient groups.
This includes pregnant women who experience migraines.
Guidelines have been updated after many years
According to neurologist Adil F. Niaz, the previous guidelines had not been revised since 2012.
In the meantime, preventive migraine treatment has undergone significant developments.
More patients could enjoy a better quality of life
The new guidelines aim to make it easier to choose between different treatment options.
The goal is not only to prevent migraine attacks but also to help patients live lives in which the condition has less of an impact.
This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.